The Zipper Merge

“Raising awareness for motorists to use the zipper merge in construction zones will help reduce crashes, speeds and congestion.”Sue Groth, MnDOT traffic safety and technology director.

There is nothing like an impending lane closure to bring out the worst in drivers. Should I speed up? Will they slow down? These are just a few of the questions we ask ourselves as the fuzzy dice dangling from our rear view mirror taunts us; a painful reminder of the game of chance our roadway experience has become. Merging, however, does not necessarily entail throwing caution to the wind. In fact, I would highly discourage it. As with most social quandaries we encounter, there is a clear step forward when we understand the social etiquette. Enter The Zipper Merge: the answer to all (well, many) of our merging needs.